Logo for Diaries of Henry Morgenthau, Jr., April 27, 1933-July 27, 1945 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Diaries of Henry Morgenthau, Jr., April 27, 1933-July 27, 1945 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Collection Overview

Title: Diaries of Henry Morgenthau, Jr., April 27, 1933-July 27, 1945Add to your cart.

Primary Creator: Henry Morgenthau, Jr.

Extent: 138.06 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: This digitial collection represents one portion of the larger Henry Morgenthau, Jr. Papers. It is arranged into three sub-series: the Diaries, Presidential Diaries, and Diary Index

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This digitial collection represents one portion of the larger Henry Morgenthau, Jr. Papers. It is arranged into three sub-series: the Diaries, Presidential Diaries, and Diary Index.

During Henry Morgenthau, Jr.'s nearly 12 years as FDR's Secretary of the Treasury, he compiled more than 860 diary volumes. These are not typical diaries; rather, they are Morgenthau's daily record of his official activities, including transcripts of his meetings and telephone conversations as well as copies and originals of the most important correspondence and memoranda that passed over his desk. Morgenthau also kept a diary of his brief tenure as Farm Credit Administrator in the early months of the New Deal before becoming Treasury Secretary.

Because of Morgenthau's long tenure in government and his close personal relationship with Roosevelt, the diaries also document Morgenthau's involvement and interest in New Deal fiscal and monetary policy during the Great Depression, wartime economic mobilization and aid to the Allies, post-war planning and the so-called "Morgenthau Plan" for Germany, the plight of European Jews and the War Refugee Board, planning for the Bretton Woods and United Nations conferences, as well as other social, political, economic and diplomatic issues. Combined, these diaries and index cards total some 285,000 pages.

Collection Historical Note

Henry Morgenthau, Jr., was a Dutchess County neighbor and close friend to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Morgenthau, only son of New York City real estate mogul and diplomat, Henry Morgenthau, Sr., attended Cornell University, studying agriculture. Morgenthau's friendship with FDR began in 1915 when the two shared a common wish to increase rural representation in the New York State Democratic Party.

In 1928, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Morgenthau Chairman of the New York State Agricultural Advisory Commission and State Conservation Commissioner. Later as President, FDR first appointed Morgenthau Chairman of the Federal Farm Bureau and Farm Credit Administration and then as Secretary of the Treasury, a post he would serve from January 1934 through July 1945. Morgenthau made significant and direct contributions to the New Deal and to the US efforts in World War II. He helped develop the Lend-Lease program of aid to Britain, led the homefront war bond effort, and acted as the driving force in creating the War Refugee Board that resulted in the rescuing of as many as 200,000 Jews from Nazi-occupied countries. He is also widely known for presenting the controversial "Morgenthau Plan" for an agrarian postwar Germany.

For more detailed biographical information, please see the finding aid for parent collection: Henry Morgenthau, Jr. Papers.

Administrative Information

Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Access Restrictions: None

Use Restrictions: The writings of Franklin D. Roosevelt within this collection are in the public domain. The official writings of United States government officials within this collection are in the public domain. All other materials are subject to the United States Copyright law, 17 U.S.C. 101, et seq.

Related Materials:

Henry Morgenthau, Jr. Papers (parent collection)

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Papers as President

Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Morgenthau Diaries],
[Series 2: Morgenthau Presidential Diaries],
[Series 3: Morgenthau Diaries Index],
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Series 2: Morgenthau Presidential DiariesAdd to your cart.
Henry Morgenthau, Jr. maintained a "Presidential Diary" totaling about 2,000 pages, distinct among the larger series of office diaries. The Presidential Diaries consist of memoranda of his meetings with FDR, recollections of Cabinet meetings, and handwritten notes or chits passed between the two men. They provide a unique window into the personal and professional relationship of FDR and Morgenthau. The Presidential Diaries also contain materials related to Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and members of their respective administrations. Included in this series are Morgenthau's commentaries on events and conversations, memoranda of conversations, original documents written and received by Morgenthau, and newsclippings.

Presidential Diary Volume 1, January 1, 1938 - July 31, 1939Add to your cart.
View Online (Part 1); View Online (Part 2); View Online (Part 3)

Presidential Diary Volume 2, August 1, 1939 - May 15, 1940Add to your cart.
View Online (Part 1); View Online (Part 2); View Online (Part 3)

Presidential Diary Volume 3, May 16, 1940 - February 28, 1941Add to your cart.
View Online (Part 1); View Online (Part 2); View Online (Part 3)

Presidential Diary Volume 4, March 1, 1941 - December 31, 1941Add to your cart.
View Online (Part 1); View Online (Part 2); View Online (Part 3)

Presidential Diary Volume 5, January 1, 1942 - June 30, 1944Add to your cart.
View Online (Part 1); View Online (Part 2); View Online (Part 3); View Online (Part 4)

Presidential Diary Volume 6, July 1, 1944 - April 12, 1945Add to your cart.
View Online (Part 1); View Online (Part 2)

Presidential Diary Volume 7, April 12, 1945 - July 13, 1945Add to your cart.
View Online(Part 1); View Online (Part 2)

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Morgenthau Diaries],
[Series 2: Morgenthau Presidential Diaries],
[Series 3: Morgenthau Diaries Index],
[All]